Watching UTMB in Chamonix

The last few days of my European scouting trip were spent in Chamonix, France, watching some of the world’s best ultra runners take on UTMB. 

If you’ve never heard of UTMB, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, every August, thousands of trail runners from around the world descend on Chamonix. Imagine the energy of the Boston Marathon, the international feel of the Olympics, and the adventure culture of a mountain festival – all happening beneath Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

For what? A week of races through the mountains. The flagship race is pretty extraordinary: roughly 100 miles around the Mont Blanc circuit. It crosses through France, Italy, and Switzerland, with nearly 33,000 feet of climbing along the way.

Seeing UTMB After My Own Trek

I had a little more appreciation for what these athletes were doing this year. The week before UTMB, I spent seven days hiking about 70 miles of the Tour du Mont Blanc with a dear friend. It was humbling and incredibly inspiring.

Days after my trek, I was standing in the streets of Chamonix with the rest of the fans, clapping as racers charged through the finish line. The energy of the town was infectious. Thousands and thousands of people lined up along the trails and in front of shops and restaurants to cheer on these brave humans. 

What Ultra-Endurance Athletes and Healthcare Professionals Share

As I stood there cheering, I kept thinking about how much ultra-endurance athletes remind me of healthcare professionals.

Both spend years preparing for what they do. They have an incredible ability to tolerate discomfort. Also, they show up when they’re tired. Plus, they learn to stay calm when things don’t go according to plan. And somehow they find another gear when things get hard. They are resilient, determined, and very good at continuing forward.

But watching UTMB race and following many of the athletes in their journeys also reminded me that endurance isn’t only about how long you can keep pushing.

Recovery Is Part of Performance

I think those of us in healthcare sometimes forget that.

We become very good at carrying a lot – long shifts, difficult decisions, responsibility for other people, family, careers, and all the other pieces of life that somehow need to fit in around it.

Sitting in Chamonix, surrounded by these extraordinary athletes, I found myself feeling re-inspired by why I started MedTreks in the first place.

I wanted to create experiences for people who spend so much of their lives pushing themselves and showing up for everyone else.

Healthcare professionals know how to work hard. That belief continues to shape our wellness retreats for healthcare professionals today.

My hope is that MedTreks helps them become equally good at stepping away. I want them to explore this incredible world and connect with good people. Most of all, I want them to enjoy some of what their hard work has earned them.

Endurance athletes need recovery…and healthcare professionals do, too.

Cheers, 

Ari